Review: The Blessed by Tonya Hurley

PJV Quickie: Within the first words of this book, I was creeped out and felt like I had taken some kind of hallucinagentic. And the feeling never ended. This book was odd, out of sorts and just too abstract to connect with. Tonya Hurley is a well-versed author that can tell a story, but maybe I just don’t get her very dark mind. Which is not the usual fare for me.

The beginning of the books starts with a Lament by the character of Lucy. It felt like I had picked up some Emo girl’s diary…and I should probably call a suicide hotline and report her.

I am alone. Cornered. next to nothing and the dogs are at my door. The assembly of the wicked surrounds me. I am mocked and shunned. Abandoned. Lies and pain, my sole companions.”

Then after the lament it starts into a very blurry picture of three teen girls in a hospital. One committed suicide, one drowned in a puddle (yes!) and the other overdosed. All of the characters are quite out it and from their POV, so the narrative conveys their frame-of-mind, quite brilliant that the author can capture this, but not exactly my cup-of-tea. The whole book followed this dreamy strange narrative, with the characters in and out of functioning like normal people. Then the depiction as adults but technically children didn’t work for me, along with the fact that I never connected with the characters had me putting this book down over and over again.

I can just never get into these strangely phrased novels, where the author is trying to create a work of art instead of telling a story. In some instances it works, much like Maggie Stiefvater’s more lyrical books, but in other it just fails miserably and for me THE BLESSED failed miserably.

Then as far as personal views, I had heard this was a religious book and it actually drew me to it. I was raised Catholic, most of my schooling was done in Catholic school so I’m pretty versed on Saints. (Not the football team – even though I’m well versed on them too — #FreePayton) And I’m also aware that most saints were completely reprehensible before they found redemption. Or at least a few of them. But, the whole teens stealing cars, driving drunk…just left me feeling dirty and not liking these girls very much. This book just wasn’t for me. But, other readers might enjoy Hurley’s odd perspective, especially if you’ve enjoyed her other titles as well.

Recommendation:

Because of the violence and bad behavior I recommend this to more mature teens.

Other Books Rated 2 Star on Parajunkee’s View

About The Author

Rachel, whom you might know as Parajunkee, is the blog owner of parajunkee.com and the design blog parajunkee.net. To make matters even more confusing she is now a published author under the pen name of Gillian Zane. Rachel has been blogging for over eight years, designing / web programming for over fifteen, but her real love, reading, has been her favorite hobby since childhood. Rachel has won numerous awards for her writing, the blogs she has created and her design work. If you want to check out more about her books click "The Books" on the navigation bar at the top of the page.

9 Comments

Mary Grace Nakao
on November 10, 2013 at 05:52

Thank you for this. I was too close into buying this book bcause of the gorgeous cover and the intriguing book summary. Like you, I am also a Catholic which I think is the reason why Im so drawn by this XD.

Anyway, can I make 1 selfish request? Can you make book reviews about books with Catholic/Christian reference? Like angels and stuff? Some books tend to ruin the Church thus the reason why Im so hesitant at buying any series. But if you dont have the time, its okay 😀

I can totally understand why you weren’t into this, but thanks so much for featuring it. Odd, out of sorts, abstract, dark….sounds exactly like my cup of tea! I really like “work of art” books, but they’re definitely not for everyone. They can be really dense. I’m willing to give this book a try though. Maybe what didn’t work for you will work for me. Nice review!

Aw, this one sounded really good and I was excited to read it, but all I’ve seen is one bad review after another for it. I may still give a chance, but I’m not very eager to get to it anymore. Thanks for the honest review!

I have picked this book up more than once at the bookstore and put it down. The cover draws me in, perhaps like you because I was brought up in a very Catholic surrounding. The reviews I have read tho keep me putting it down. If only the story could match the perfect cover.